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Residents press Delta County over parks management and rights to courthouse steps during public comment
Summary
Multiple public commenters criticized past parks management, urged clearer roles between the county and the Parks & Rec Commission, and a pastor said a county letter limited the ability to hold prayer events on courthouse property; commissioners heard the concerns but made no immediate policy changes.
During the May 19 Delta County commissioners meeting, several members of the public used the comment periods to raise concerns about parks management and public use of county property.
A long public comment (speaker 8) criticized negative statements about the Parks & Recreation Commission at a prior meeting, called for clearer lines of authority between the county board and the PRC, and urged the board to recognize recent staff efforts. The commenter repeatedly asked “who’s in charge” and said that contradictory policies and a sequence of partially updated rules have left the public and PRC members confused.
Another commenter (speaker 10) accused a named former manager and the conservation district of diverting funds and disputed claims about a $50,000 annual operating figure; the speaker said records from the conservation district and county would show the history. Those allegations drew audible reactions and highlight that public trust and historical accounting remain contentious topics for some residents.
Pastor Darren Kelsey (speaker 11) said he and other faith leaders had sought to hold a prayer time on the courthouse steps and received a county letter indicating they were not authorized to use the property for religious or political events; he described feeling shut out and expressed appreciation for a follow‑up call from a commissioner clarifying what is permitted.
The board did not alter policies or take formal action on these items at the meeting. Commissioners acknowledged the comments, thanked speakers for participating and noted that some concerns (about parks procedures and recordkeeping) were already being addressed through PRC meetings and legal review of revised policies. Further administrative follow-up was implied but not specified.
